William George Weichel

William George "Billy" Weichel (July 20, 1870 – May 2, 1949) was a merchant and political figure in Ontario, Canada. He represented Waterloo North in the House of Commons of Canada from 1911 to 1917 as a Conservative member and in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1923 to 1929.[1]

William George Weichel
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
In office 1923–1929
Constituency	Waterloo North
Member of the House of Commons of Canada
In office 1911–1917
Constituency	Waterloo North
Personal details
Born	July 20, 1870 Elmira, Ontario
Died	May 2, 1949 (aged 78) Kitchener, Ontario
Political party	Conservative
Occupation	Merchant, politician

Biography

He was born in Elmira, Ontario,[1] the son of Michael Weicher, who came to Canada from Germany,[2] and Margaret Schmidt.[3] Weichel was educated in Elmira and Berlin (later Kitchener).[2] He worked eight years as a clerk in his father's hardware store before becoming a salesman for a saw manufacturer in Galt. In 1896, Weichel opened a hardware store with other members of his family in Waterloo, later becoming sole owner. Weichel was also director for several insurance companies.[4] In 1898, he married Jessie Rose Kinsman.[2] He defeated William Lyon Mackenzie King to win a seat in the federal parliament in 1911. Weichel was defeated in a bid for reelection to the federal seat as a Unionist candidate in 1917. Weichel served as mayor of Waterloo from 1922 to 1923. He was unsuccessful in the provincial elections of 1929 and 1934.[1] He died in Kitchener at the age of 78.[3]

References

1. William George Weichel – Parliament of Canada biography
2. Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1925, EJ Chambers
3. Johnson, J.K. (1968). The Canadian Directory of Parliament 1867-1967. Public Archives of Canada.
4. William G Weicher, Early mayors of Waterloo, City of Waterloo

External links

• Member's parliamentary history for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario